If your gas water heater isn’t working, the first thing you should check is the pilot light. In most cases, if the pilot light is out, it’s because there’s a draft in the room that’s blowing it out. To fix this, simply relight the pilot light and hold a burning match or lighter next to it until you see the flame start to catch.
If the pilot light keeps going out, you may need to adjust the settings on your water heater.
- Check that the gas valve is in the “on” position
- Locate the pilot light knob, typically on the lower part of the water heater near the floor
- Push and hold in the pilot light knob while you use a lighter to ignite the pilot light
- Continue to hold in the pilot light knob for 30 to 60 seconds after igniting the pilot light to allow time for gas to flow into 5
- Release the pilot light knob and observe whether or not the flame stays lit
- If it does not stay lit, repeat steps 3-5 until successful
How To Light A Gas Water Heater Pilot Light
How to Light a Gas Water Heater With Electronic Pilot
If your gas water heater has an electronic pilot, you may be wondering how to light it. Luckily, it’s not as difficult as you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to lighting a gas water heater with an electronic pilot:
1. Locate the pilot light assembly on your water heater. This is usually located near the bottom of the unit.
2. Remove the cover from the pilot light assembly.
You may need to use a screwdriver to do this.
3. Look for the igniter button and press it firmly until you hear a clicking sound. This indicates that the igniter is working properly.
4 . Hold a lighter or match up to the opening of the pilot light assembly and wait for the flame to appear.

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How Do You Light the Pilot on a Gas Water Heater?
If your gas water heater doesn’t have a pilot light, it will have an electronic ignition. These ignitions use a spark to light the gas instead of a pilot light.
To light the pilot on a gas water heater with an electronic ignition, start by turning off the power to the unit at your circuit breaker or fuse box.
Next, open the access panel on the side of the water heater and locate the gas control knob. Turn this knob to the “Pilot” setting and then push it in and hold it while you turn on the power to the unit. Once the power is back on, use a long match or lighter to ignite the pilot flame.
Once lit, continue holding in the control knob for 30 seconds before releasing it. This will allow time for the thermocouple (a safety device that senses when the pilot is lit) to warm up and create enough electricity to keep fuel flowing to The burner assembly should now click on and stay lit—if not, repeat these steps until successful..
Can I Relight the Pilot Light by Myself on the Water Heater?
Most people don’t think about their water heater until it’s not working properly. Then they’re faced with a decision – should I call a professional or try to fix it myself?
If you have a gas water heater, one common issue is the pilot light going out.
This can be frustrating, but the good news is that it’s usually an easy problem to fix on your own.
Here are some simple steps to relighting the pilot light on your gas water heater:
1. Locate the pilot light assembly on your water heater.
This is usually located near the bottom of the unit.
2. Look for the knob or lever that controls the flow of gas to the pilot light. In most cases, this will be clearly labeled.
3. Turn off the gas supply to the unit by rotating this knob or lever to the “off” position. Wait at least five minutes before proceeding – this ensures that all residual gas has dissipated and it is safe to work on the unit.
4. Use a long match or lighter to ignite the pilot light flame.
You may need to hold down a button while doing this in order to keep the gas flowing (consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions). Once the flame is lit, continue holding down the button for another minute or so before releasing it. This allows enough time for Gas To fill up The combustion chamber before igniting otherwise The explosion could occur .5..
Check That The Pilot Light Is burning brightly and steadily before leaving It unattended , If It goes out again , Repeat The process from Step 3 once more .
How Do You Manually Light a Gas Water Heater?
If your gas water heater isn’t working, you may need to light the pilot light. This can be done manually, and it’s actually not that difficult. Here’s how:
First, locate the pilot light assembly on your water heater. It will be near the bottom of the unit, and will have a small metal tube coming out of it.
Next, find the gas control knob and turn it to the “pilot” setting.
Then, use a long lighter or match to ignite the pilot light. Once it’s lit, hold down on the knob for about 60 seconds before releasing it.
If all goes well, your pilot light should stay lit and your water heater should start working again shortly.
Can I Relight the Pilot Light by Myself?
Yes, you can relight the pilot light by yourself. However, if you have never done it before, it is best to ask someone who has for help. The process is not difficult, but there are a few safety precautions you need to take.
Conclusion
If your gas water heater isn’t working, one possible issue is that the pilot light has gone out. In this case, you’ll need to relight it. Here’s how:
First, locate the pilot light assembly on your water heater. Then, turn the knob to “off” and wait 5 minutes for the gas to clear. Next, turn the knob to “pilot” and hold it down while you use a long match or lighter to ignite the pilot flame.
Once the flame is lit, continue holding down the knob for 30 seconds before releasing it. Finally, turn the knob back to “on” and check that the main burner ignites. If not, repeat these steps until it does.